Cited by 79Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchPain Mechanisms and TreatmentsNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms

Cannabinoid CB2receptor attenuates morphine‐induced inflammatory responses in activated microglial cells

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Merighi, Stefania, Gessi, Stefania, Varani, Katia, Fazzi, Debora, Mirandola, Prisco, Borea, Pier Andrea·2012·British Journal of Pharmacology

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Among several pharmacological properties, analgesia is the most common feature shared by either opioid or cannabinoid systems. Cannabinoids and opioids are distinct drug classes that have been historically used separately or in combination to treat different pain states. In the present study, we characterized the signal transduction pathways mediated by cannabinoid CB 2 and µ‐opioid receptors in quiescent and LPS‐stimulated murine microglial cells. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We examined the effects of µ‐opioid and CB 2 receptor stimulation on phosphorylation of MAPKs and Akt and on IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and NO production in primary mouse microglial cells. KEY RESULTS Morphine enhanced release of the proinflammatory cytokines, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and of NO via µ‐opioid receptor in activated microglial cells. In contrast, CB 2 receptor stimulation attenuated morphine‐induced microglial proinflammatory mediator increases, interfering with morphine action by acting on the Akt‐ERK1/2 signalling pathway. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Because glial activation opposes opioid analgesia and enhances opioid tolerance and dependence, we suggest that CB 2 receptors, by inhibiting microglial activity, may be potential targets to increase clinical efficacy of opioids.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2012.01948.x

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  • Within the CNS, CB2 receptor agonists decrease signaling within the AKT-ERK1/2 pathway.

    “Specifically, it has been found that, within the CNS, CB 2 receptor agonists increase the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, decrease IL-1β (Wilkerson et al, 2012a(Wilkerson et al, , 2012b)), decrease signaling within the AKT-ERK1/2 pathway (Merighi et al, 2012) and reduce mRNA of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1)/ CCL2 (Deng et al, 2015a).”

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Authors
Merighi, S., Gessi, S., Varani, K., Fazzi, D., Mirandola, P., & Borea, P. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Ferrara (IT)
  • University of Parma (IT)
Corresponding author
Borea, Pier Andrea
Venue
British Journal of Pharmacology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2012-07-24
Volume
166
Issue
8
Pages
2371-2385
ISSN
  • 0007-1188 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5381
OpenAlex
W1594639287
Cited by
79
References
81
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
FWCI
3.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Institutional Research Information System University of Ferrara (University of Ferrara) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Keywords
CB2 receptor, mu-opioid receptor, morphine, microglia, neuroinflammation, inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, MAPK phosphorylation, lipopolysaccharide stimulation, opioid analgesia, opioid tolerance, opioid-cannabinoid interaction
MeSH terms
Animals, Gene Expression Regulation, Cricetinae, Humans, Indoles, Inflammation, Lipopolysaccharides, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Morphine, Naphthols, Nitric Oxide, Nitrites, Triazines, Signal Transduction, Cytokines, CHO Cells, Receptors, Opioid, mu, Microglia, RNA Interference, RNA, Small Interfering, Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2, MAP Kinase Kinase 1, Mice

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